Fish of Fury: Marine parks based on 'dodgy science'

THE proprietor of a major sports fishing business has attacked the new marine parks announced by the Federal Government, saying they are based on dodgy science.

Encircled by more than the usual media sharks at Sydney Aquarium today, Environment Minister Tony Burke announced what he called "the most complete network of marine parks in the world".

The new reserves mean that 2.3 million square kilometres of ocean environment around Australia will be protected from July 2014, bringing the total protected area to 3.1 million square kilometres.

But Damon Olsen, owner/manager of Cairns-based Nomad Sport Fishing, says there is no credible science behind many of the new marine reserves – especially in his backyard of the Coral Sea.

"I've attended several meetings in the last year with Tony Burke as part of the recreational fishing lobby and the short story is that we're very disappointed there hasn't been any credible science behind these marine reserves in the Coral Sea," Mr Olsen told news.com.au

"Pick a marine scientist who doesn't work for the Government and ask them what they think of it and they will say the evidence is marginal at best and dodgy at worst.

"The Minister has the right to proclaim these parks without the need to go through parliament, and with the Labor party in power with Greens preferences, if they don't do what the Greens tell them they'll have problems.

"Don't worry about the facts, don't worry about the science.”

But the politicians in Canberra of the Labor and Greens variety swear the science is right.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today: "It is good to see the Government and Minister Burke finalise this plan, in spite of the ongoing and ill-informed scare campaign that has been run by some sectors.

"Effective marine protection is absolutely essential for the maintenance of long-term fish stocks and biodiversity which supports sustainable industry and communities around our coastline.

"This plan is a good foundation of a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas that prioritises long term sustainability and conservation."

Queensland Nationals Senator Ron Boswell isn't buying a word of that.

Senator Boswell says there is no evidence that setting aside special marine protection zones will do anything to preserve fish stocks.

"The fish do not know where the lines on the map are," he told news.com.au.

"They swim in and out of the zones and quite frankly, if you exclude fisherman from the zones, they'll all just go into other areas."

Senator Boswell is concerned for the commercial fishing industry, which fears a $100 million assistance package will not be enough to compensate those affected by the proclamation of the world's biggest network of marine reserves.

Senator Boswell also worries for Australia's five million recreational anglers, and has grave concerns for fishing tourism operators like Damon Olsen.

"We've been sport fishing in the Coral Sea for 10 years and take 350-400 per year, of which 30 to 50 per cent come from overseas," Mr Olsen says.

"We employ 15 people, and while we knew this was coming so we haven't had to lay anyone off, we are worried about the future.

"The big impact from a business point of view is the perception of Australia as a tourism fishing destination. We've been getting emails from people saying ‘what's going on?' Their perception is that Australia is closed to fishing.

"You can imagine how this is portrayed overseas. Don't worry about ads that say ‘where the bloody hell are you?', we're effectively now saying ‘p--- off we don't want you'."

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.